Would you like to tell someone that something is going to be easy or effortless? The phrase 'piece of cake' is one of the most common figurative English sayings that can be used to mean this. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and common use of the saying.
Meaning
The phrase 'piece of cake' is a common figurative saying in the English language.
'Piece of cake' is a saying that is used to mean that something is (or has been) easy or effortless.
Most common use of the phrase is used to say that 'something is a piece or cake' or 'something was a piece of cake'.
Context for the saying can be taken from what has been already said, or is sometimes directly said by the phrase itself.
There are several ways to use the phrase depending on the tense that is being used, including to say that something 'has been' or 'is going to be a piece of cake'.
Something that is not easy is said to be 'not a piece of cake' as the denial form of the phrase.
'Piece of cake' is similar to the common English figurative saying that implies something is 'easy as pie', which is used to mean the same.
It's also common to say that something easy was 'a cakewalk', a phrase that is the origin of 'piece of cake'.
Example Usage
“Look, don't worry about your first day at work tomorrow. I know you're stressed out about it, but it's going to be a piece of cake.”
“I'm pretty sure that I'm going to take the tournament money tomorrow. It's going to be a piece of cake, especially if they all play Mortal Kombat like last year.”
“If you don't know how to use the internet, it's a piece of cake. Just ask your grandson to show you where to find the best memes or something.”
“It's a piece of cake to get on the skateboard, but it's not as easy to stay on the thing once it's moving.”
Origin
According to most language resources, the phrase 'piece of cake' is a common saying that originated somewhere in the 1800s – most likely with plantation slavery, which saw events held by captive slaves in which mocking dances and walks would jab at the habits and mannerisms of their employers and other townspeople.
The phrase 'cakewalk' gave rise to the origin 'piece of cake' and the saying has become common even thuogh its origin has become obscured over time.
When something is a 'piece of cake' or a 'cakewalk' then it is easy or effortless, though something that is 'not as easy as cake' is implied to be the opposite.
Modern use of the phrase does not often think of its origins, which renders a 'dead metaphor' that has completely evolved into its modern meaning.
Phrases Similar to Piece of Cake
- Piece of pie
- Cakewalk
Phrases Opposite to Piece of Cake
- A hard nut [to crack]
What is the Correct Saying?
- Piece of cake
Ways People May Say Piece of Cake Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'piece of cake' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the saying.
Someone who does not understand the use of the phrase can misunderstand the meaning or context of the saying. The phrase can be mistranslated, as many languages do not have a direct equivalent of the saying.
Someone can also use the phrase as 'pieces of cake', which is uncommon and usually incorrect use of the phrase.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Piece of Cake
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'piece of cake' in the right way.
When something is a 'piece of cake' it is implied to be easy or effortless, and 'not a piece of cake' implies the opposite of the regular saying.